For the first time in ten years, Israeli tour guides will be allowed to enter the towns of Jericho and Bethlehem, both of which are under control of the Palestinian Authority. It has been a bone of contention within the tourism industry that Israeli tour guides had to turn their clients over to Palestinian guides if they wanted to enter those areas. The easing of restrictions is the result of negotiations between Israel’s Civil Administration, which administers the post-1967 territories, and Palestinian security forces under the command of Prime Minister Salam Faya’d. The Israelis are also removing sixty barriers to allow greater freedom of movement to the Palestinian population. The Israelis explained that the success of the Palestinian security forces in fighting terror enabled the decision to ease restrictions.